Toilet tank fitting holding tool



Se t. 30, 1952 s. W'ANAMAKERH" j 2,611,949

TOILET TAN K FITTING HOLDING TOOL Filed Oct. 8, 1949 Patented Sept. 30,1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,611,949

TOILET TANK FITTING HOLDING TOOL Seth Wanamaker, Ramsey, N. J.Applioation'october 8, 1949, Serial No. 120,256

- .5 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a tool for assembling or disassembling afitting such as the outlet fitting in a toilet tank.

The conventional toilet tank now employed in homes is made of ceramicmaterials such as fired clay or porcelain. The outlet connection to suchtank is made by means of an outlet fitting disposed within the tank, athreaded extension on the fitting extending through a hole in the bottomof the tank, the sealing of the fitting to the tank and the holding ofit in position, respectively, being accomplished by means of gasketsinterposed between the fitting and the tank, and a nut exteriorly of thetank threaded on the extension of the fitting.

Because of the depth of the tank, it is very difficult, if notimpossible, for a plumber in installing such fitting or in removing itfrom the tank, to hold the fitting from rotation while he ismanipulating the fitting holding nut. Consequently, such operationsusually require the efforts of two plumbers. When one plumber is workingalone in such operations, it is sometimes the practice to block theoutlet fittingagainst rotation as by interposing wooden blocks or thelike between the fitting and the tank side walls. Such expedients aretime consuming, and are uncertain in their effects. Furthermore, sincethe toilet tank is ordinarily made of ceramic materials, it is possibleif such blocking is crudely done or if undue torque is exerted on thenut, so to wedge the blocking against the sides of the tank as to breakthe tank.

It is accordingly among the objects of the present invention to providea simple, light, easily carried and easily applied fitting assemblingand disassembling tool to make possible the above described fittingassembling and disassembling operations by one plumber.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a tool ofthe type described which minimizes the possibility of breakage of thetoilet tank during the fitting assembling and disassembling operations.

These and further objects of-the invention will be more readily apparentin the following descrip-, tion of a preferred embodiment of the fittingassembling tool of the invention.

In the drawing accompanying the specification and forming a partthereof:

Fig. 1 is a view in plan of a toilet tank with the discharge fittingassembled therein and with the assembling fixture of the inventionapplied to such fitting;

. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section through the tank, such view beingtaken from one side of the discharge fitting in the tank;

Fig. 3 is a view in plan of the fitting assembling tool of theinvention; and o Fig. 4 is a View in end elevation of the assemblingtool shown in Fig. 3;

The outlet fitting for the tank 4 is designated generally by thereference character 2. Fittin 2 has a large outlet opening in thelargerrounded end portion 8, such opening leading to the conventional toiletbowl. Tank 4 is shown as having the conventional inlet pipeaccommodating opening 8 therein, the inlet pipe, the ball andvalve, andthe means selectively closing the outlet open ing in fitting 2 of thetank beingomitted. Fitting 2 has a partially oval extension In on oneside thereof,- as is clearly apparent in Figs. land 2, the extension Inlying in a plane parallel to the bottom of the tank 4. At the end ofextension H], which is hollow, there is provided an upstanding tappedboss l2 into which fits an overflow pipe (not shown) for the tank. As iswell known, the shut-off ball or'valve by which connection is effectedbetween the interior of the tank and the delivery pipe to the toiletbowl fits within the upper end of the opening in the portion 8 of thefitting.

Fitting 2 is held in the tank by means of the threaded extension I4 onthe bottom of, the fitting, such extension fitting through a hole in thebottom of the tank. Extension I4 also afiords the means of makin aconnection .between the fitting 2 and the pipe leading to the toiletbowl. Nut I6 is threaded on extension l4 exteriorly of the tank bottom,as shown in Fig. 2. Sealing is effected between fitting 2 and the tankby means of gaskets, in the illustrative embodiment shown two suchgaskets being employed, one at 18 being disposed between the bottom offitting 2 and the inner bottom surface of tank 4, and the other, 20,

being disposed between the outer bottom surface of tank 4 and the uppersurface of nut [6.

It will be seen that, assuming that the thread onextension l4 of thefitting is a right-hand thread, when the plumber tightens the nut 16 ininstalling the fitting 2, such fitting, when unheld, will tend to turncounter-clockwise, as the fitting is shown inFig. 1. Upon disassembly ofthe fitting from the tank, the fitting 2 will tend to turn clockwise, asit is shown in such figure. V

The assembly. fixture of the invention, designated generally 22, isdesigned to hold fitting 2. in a substantially fixed position within thetank 4 and to allow such assembly and disassembly operations to becarried'on byone manworking from beneath the tank. The assembly fixture22 has a main body portion generally of U-shape, the central or bightportion of the body being designated 24 and the two legs thereof, whichextend generally parallel to each other, being designated 25 and 28,respectively. The inner bottom corners of such legs are relativelysharp, that is they preferably have an included solid angle of 90 or,-less. Such corners are desig nated 303and32, respectively. Fixture. 22ismade of such size, and the inner surf-ace thereof within the U is madeof such shape, that the fixture fits; over the extension of the fittingin the manner shown in Fig. 1. As shown in such figure, legs 26 and 28of the fixture extend parallel to the sides of extension [0 of thefixture for a substantial distance, the corners 30 and 32= havingintimate and tight contact with thesides of the extension It! at pointsmaterially spaced from the outer endof the extension. The innerconfiguration of body portion 24 ofthe fixture is made such thatpreferably there. exists. a substantial gap 34- between the innersurface of the bight portion 24 ofthe fixture and the outer end surfaceof the extension ill ofthe fixture.

The U-shaped, body of the fixture is of such height, as it lies on thetank bottom, that the arms extend upwardly to. a distance which is atleast a substantial part of the height of extension H1. Preferably. theU-shaped body, including arms26. and 28, is of a height at least equalto that of extension I 0. When the assembly fixture, is of suchconfiguration relative to the fitting 2, it is stably held on theextension ID of; the fitting by means of the biting engagement between.thev edges 30 and 32 of the assembly fixture and the elongated sides. ofthe extension. I0...

In. Fig. 1, the fitting 2 is shown disposed'a distance D from the u per(as there shown) side of tank 4, and a distance D from the lower (asthere shown) side of such tank. As is evident,- the. distance Dsubstantially exceeds the distance D. Fonthis reason the two tank side.engaging buffers on thefixture. 22. are. of diiierent lengths, as shownin Figs. 1, 3 and 4. The first such buffer. comprising boss 36 is theshorter. Such boss extendsv angul'arly from body 22, asshown. in. Fig.3, andhas disposed on its. outer end the. rubber cap. member 40. The.second, longer, buffer comp-rising boss 38 is likewise angularlydisposed: with respect to the, vertical axis of the bodyof;.fixture-.22, as it is shownin Fig. 3. Boss 38 has; telescopedthereover the rubber cap member 42. The. distance L between the outercorner portions. of the. rubber caps 40 and 42 is made suchthat it isslightly smaller than the widthW of. the tank 4. The fixture 22may thusbe readily installed in the position shown in Fig. 1. when the extensionin of the fitting 2 extends longitudinally of the tank. Bosses 35 and 38diverge angularlyfrom each other and from aplane at right. angles to theU-shaped body of fixture 22 and: positioned parallel. to and midwaybetween legs 2.6 and28.

By; reason. of. the. internal configuration of the U.-shaped. body ofthe assembly fixture, the fixture remains stably on extension I0 when.so placed, even though no further holding means for it is employed.

It, is. preferred, however, that fixture 22 be held. onfitting 2 byfurther. means,.so that there isfno. possibility of" the dislodgingof'the assembly. fixture from its assembled position. The additionalholding means of" the preferred em:-

bodiment takes the form of a chain 44, a serially connected coil tensionspring 46, and a hook 48 attached to the other end of the spring. Chain44 is attached to the laterally projecting boss 50 on the outer side ofleg 26 of the assembly fixture, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. On theouter side of leg 28 of the assembly fixture there is provided anelongated boss 52, over which the hook 48 may, be. engaged. Spring 46has turns of, such diameter that th'eyfit readily within the annulargroove 54 provided about the portion 8 ct fitting 2 in that portionwhich is opposite the extension I0 thereof.

Fixture'22 isfirst applied to extension I 0 as shown inFig, 1. The freeend portion of spring 46 is then bent around part 8 of fitting 2 so astofit within-theannular groove 54 therein. The length. of spring 46,taken in connection with the length of chain 44 and that of hook 48, issuch that when hook 48 is placed over boss 52, with the fixtureassembled as shown, the spring 46 is under-appreciable tension.

The manner in which the fixture is used" will; it isbelieved; beapparentfrom the foregoing description of it. When the fitting 2- isbeing assembled intank 4, fixture 22- is, of course, assembled on"extension In of the fitting as shown. The turning of nut It by aplumber-working from beneath the tank 4 will result'in the swinging ofextension [0 offitting' 2 in a counterclockwise direction. Suchswinging; however, continues; for only that; limited extent necessaryfor' the. outer edge of rubber bumper- 40' tocontact the bottom sideof'tank 4, as such tank-isshown in Fig. 1.. From. this point on, regardlessof the amount/of tighteningof nut I6, the fixture 2' is prevented fromfurther turning. In the reverse operation, that is the disassemblyoffitting 2 from the tank" 4, the nut I6; isturned in the reverse,direction. Thereupon extension ll] of fitting 2-swings.clockwise, asit-is shown in Fig. 1, only to that extent sufli'cient' to bring theouter corner of rubber bumper 42 in contact with the upper:innersurfaceof" tank 4' as it is shown in Fig. 1.

The assembly fixture. of the invention is simple, lightin'construction'and' is cheaply made. The main" body portion maybe made ofcast iron or; steel; or of any other metaLof' sufiicient toughness andstrength sufficient to withstand" substantial mechanical shocks and toinsure. that the inner corners 30 and 32'of'the legs do not becomeunduly bluntedduring use. Because the outer ends of the bufi'ers, thatis, the. caps on bosses 36 and 3.8 engage. the. side walls of tank 4'at. material distances. from; the vertical axis. of the. threadedextension I4. of fitting; 2, the stress. upon the tank sidewalls ismuchless thanritwould. be. if. blocking extending at right angles. to.the longitudinalaxis. of. extension. I Dof the fitting and th.e:tankwa11.0r walls were employed; Thusthe. tool of; the. invention may. beemployed safelywith tanks made of brittle material. such, as-clay orporcelain. Ordinarily it requires more. torque on:nut. IE: todisassemble the fitting 2 (than to: as-

semble it. Theuse of: thelong boss:38;is; therefore, of advantage inl'esseningthe stress; on the.

tankin: the disassembly operation.

Whereas for purposes of illustration Ihave described? and shown apreferred embodiment of the fitting assembling and disassembling tool ofmy invention, it'will be obvious that the tool of the invention iscapable of considerable variation as to-details. Thescope-ofmy-inventionis therefor to be defined by the claims-appended I'claim as newthe;following:' p r L 1. An assembling and disassembling fixture for theoutlet fitting of .a toilet tank, saidputlet fitting having a roundedend portion having the maindischarge opening ther'ethrough and alaterally extending hollow portion having the overflow connectiontherein, said fitting lying on. the bottom of the tank, the fixturecomprising a main body portion of generally U configuration, the legs ofthe, .bodyportion lying generally parallelto each other and being spacedsufficientlyto embrace the sidesfuriaces of theLextension on the fittingand of such length as toextend alonga m'ajor portionfof'the length ofsuch extension of thefittingthe innerv confronthereto.

tank, .and means toretainthe fixture in. the re cited -assembledpositionon the fitting, such" last;

named means comprising a flexible member de-i signed to fitwithin'theannular groove-.on -rthe,

shapedsbodyiof theafixture, and means for attache ing edges being sharp,two buiiers on the outer surface of the bight of the U-shaped body, onebuffer extending generally opposite to one leg and the other bufferextending generally opposite the other leg, the distance between theouter corners of the buffers being at least slightly less than the widthof the toilet tank.

2. An assembling and disassembling fixture for the outlet fitting of atoilet tank, said outlet fitting having a rounded end portion having themain discharge opening therethrough and a laterally extending hollowportion having the overflow connection therein, said fitting lying onthe bottom of the tank, the fixture comprising a main body portion ofgenerally U configuration, the legs of the body portion lyin generallyparallel to each other and being spaced sufiiciently to embrace the sidesurfaces of the extension on the fitting and of such length as to extendalong a major portion of the length of such extension of the fitting,the legs having a height which is at least a substantial part of theheight of the extension on the fitting, the inner confronting edges ofthe legs of the U-shaped body having included solid angles of no morethan 90, two bufiers on the outer surface of the bight of the U-shapedbody, one buffer extending generally opposite to one leg and the otherbuifer extending generally opposite the other leg, the distance betweenthe outer cornersof the buffers bein at least slightly less than thewidth of the toilet tank, and means to retain the fixture in the recitedassembled position on the fitting.

3. An assembling and disassembling fixture for the outlet fitting of atoilet tank, said outlet fitting having 'a rounded end portion havingthe main discharge opening therethrough and a laterally extending hollowportion having the overflow connection therein, said fitting lying onthe bottom of the tank, the rounded end of the fitting having an annulargroove thereabout, the

fixture comprising a main body portion of generally U configuration, thelegs of the body portion lying generally parallel to each other andbeing spaced sufficiently to embrace the side surfaces of the extensionon the fitting and of such length as to extend along a major portion ofthe length of such extension of the fitting, the U- shaped body of thefixture having a height which is at least a substantial part of theheight of the extension on the fitting, the inner confronting edges ofthe legs of the U-shaped body having included solid angles of no morethan 90, two buffers on the outer surface of the bight of the U-- shapedbody, one buifer extending generally opposite to one leg and the otherbuffer extending mg the other end ofthe flexible memberunder tension,when about the rounded-end of:the':fit-

' ting, to such other leg of the U-shaped body.

- 4. An assembling and. ,disassemblingv fixture for the? outlet fittingof, }a toilet tank, saidiyoutlet fitting having a rounded-end; portionhaving the main discharge opening therethrough and a being spacedsuiiiciently to embrace the side sur faces of the extension on thefitting, and of such length as to extend along a major portion of thelength of such extension of the fitting, the U-shaped bodyof the fixturehaving a height which is at least a substantial part of the height ofthe extension onthe fitting, the inner confronting edges of the legs ofthe U-shaped body having included solid angles of no more than 90, twobufiers on the outer surface of the bight of the U-shaped body, onebuffer extending generally oppositeto one leg and the other bufferextending generally opposite the other leg, the distance between theouter corners of the buffers being at least slightly less than the widthof the toilet tank, and means to retain the fixture in the recitedassembled position on the fitting, such last named means comprising anelongated coil spring having turns of such diameter as to fit within theannular groove'on the rounded end of the fitting, means-including aflexible member attaching one end of the spring to one leg of thefUeshaped body of the fixture, and means for atoverflow connectiontherein,- said fitting lying on generally opposite the other leg, thedistance between the outer corners of the buifers being at leastslightly less than the width of the toilet the bottom of the tank, therounded end of the fitting having an annular groove thereabout, thefixture comprising a main body portion of generally U configuration, thelegs of the body portion lying generally parallel to each other andbeing spaced sufiiciently to embrace the side surfaces of theextensionon th fitting, and of such length as to extend along a majorportion of the length of such extension of the fitting, the U-shapedbody of the fixture having a height at least substantially as great asthe'height of that of the extension on the fitting, the innerconfronting edges of thelegs of the U-shaped body having includedsolid-angles of no more than two buffers on the, outer surface of thebight erally opposite to one leg and the other buffer extendinggenerally opposite the other leg, each buifer' including atits outer endan elastomeric cap member, the distance between the outer cor- .ners ofthe caps being at least slightly less than H the width of the toilettank, and means to retain anew" T I the fixture m. the recited:assembled. position on I such last named means compnsm The folluwingreferences-are of" record" in the an; elongated coil spring having turnsof such of-fims agent: diameter asrto fit within the annular groove onthe? rounded: end; at thefitting, means. including: 5 UNITED STATESPATENTS a flexible-member attaching oneendvnf the spring Number Name-Datetoitheruutersideof. one leg of the U-shaped body 672,162 Burdic eta1; .Apr. 16,1901; at the fixture, and means including a, boss on the689,059 Britton Dec 17,1901; outer side of the other leg of the U-shapedbody 1,455,61'2 Heeten May$15,,1923- and at book on the free end of thecoil spring 10 11,5FL2J67' Ostheimer June15, 1925 for attacking suchspring under tension, when TE NT about the rounded end of the fitting,to such other FOREIGN" PA S Ieg' oi: the U-shapedbody. Number 1 CountryDate.

I 746,310 Erance Mar. 12 1933 SEfiH- QTHER; REFERENCES:

Ame can Machinist; page" 89, Ma-y' 11; 1944-.

